Tips on Choosing the Best Toothbrush

Posted on 4/23/2013 by Gregory A. Williams

When it comes to toothbrushes, the choices are bountiful. Electric, standard, long, short, soft hard, there are so many styles and types of toothbrushes to choose from. Toothbrushing is an imperative part of everyday preventative dental care, so while the choice of a toothbrush may seem inconsequential, maybe it's a decision we should make with more care. Electric toothbrushes are recommended by most dentists for optimum dental health. Even with electric toothbrushes however, you must choose the appropriate head. So here's some tips on choosing the best toothbrush for your needs, preferences and dental health.

Bristle Texture

Soft bristled toothbrushes are recommended most often by dentists, because they are gentle on the teeth and gums. Depending on your level of tolerance however, sometimes medium to hard bristled toothbrushes can be useful for occasionally brushing away stains. If you do like a medium or hard bristled brush to occasionally give your teeth a hard scrub, and you have healthy gums, and strong enamel, use a medium to hard bristled brush no more than once a week. No matter if you're using an electric toothbrush, or a standard toothbrush, for everyday use, and overall best preventative dental care practice, a soft bristled brush is your best bet.

Head Size

It's pretty much unanimously agreed among dentists that smaller heads on toothbrushes are best. The reason small-headed toothbrushes are superior, is simply because they're able to get into places that large headed toothbrushes won't fit, like behind your molars. This is another reason electric toothbrushes are great, their tiny, fast-spinning heads can get in nearly all over your mouth and get your teeth cleaned at a nearly professional level. Big headed toothbrushes may have their uses, but the general consensus among dental professionals is, small headed toothbrushes are best.

Keeping it Clean

Toothbrushes are an imperative part of preventative dental care, and overall dental health. While they are the most important part of dental hygiene, they can also be a hotbed for microbial activity. In order to avoid bacterial growth, there are some simple preventative measures you can take. Never share your toothbrush, because other people's mouths have different germs. Mixing these microbes, can completely change the microbial balance in your mouth, leaving your mouth vulnerable to new infection. Keep your toothbrush stored somewhere open, with airflow, prevents bacterial growth. Keeping a toothbrush in a closed, moist environment, creates the perfect environment for bacterial growth, so don't do it often. Make sure to switch your toothbrush, or toothbrush head if you use an electric toothbrush, every three to four months. A clean toothbrush is a key part of maintaining your preventative dental care regimen.

Conclusion

So next time you're in the market for a new toothbrush, keep these things in mind. A soft-bristled small-headed toothbrush is ideal, and keep it clean. If you aren't in the market for a new toothbrush, but your toothbrush has been shared, stored in a closed container, or is three to four months old, maybe you should be. Preventative dental care is the first step to lasting dental health, so pick the right toothbrush, and use it twice a day!